Taunton

Introduction

Taunton is the county town of Somerset and is located in the southwest of England. With a rich and fascinating history, the town and surrounding area is home to numerous historical buildings and artefacts. The town is a mix of old and new with the town centre being home to whole host of contemporary restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars.
Shopaholics will be at home here, as the town has an array of shops comprising of popular high street brands and quirky independent boutiques. Meanwhile, anyone with an eye for culture will enjoy heading to the Brewhouse Theatre which hosts a variety of plays and performances throughout the year.

Ideal car

Hatchback
A hatchback is ideal for driving in and around Taunton. This fuel-efficient vehicle is perfect for any long distance driving should you choose to explore other parts of Somerset.

Driving in Taunton

L

Road Driving Side

30mph

Urban Speed Limit

60mph

Rural Speed Limit

70mph

Motorway Speed Limit

Important things to note

Traffic in Taunton can be very heavy leading to roads frequently being congested with high volumes of traffic. Most areas of interest in the centre are within easy walking distance.
Taunton has great transport links and is located a short distance from the M5 motorway, A38 and A358.
Traffic can be heavy between June and August, when many tourists flock to the town and surrounding areas during the summer holidays.

Highlights & Hotspots

Learn about the town’s fascinating heritage at The Museum of Somerset. This excellent museum is great for both children and adults, and has numerous hands-on exhibits that kids will love. The museum is located within beautiful surroundings, which are also well worth exploring.
The breath-taking Cheddar Gorge in Cheddar, Somerset is truly a sight worth seeing and is only a 40 minute drive from the centre of Taunton. As the biggest gorge in Britain, these dramatic cliffs are the perfect place for hikers and adventurous types to go exploring!
If you’re travelling with the family then Wookey Hole Caves and Attractions in the nearby town of Wells, is a great place to visit. These amazing caves are the perfect place for little adventurers to go exploring. There are also a whole host of attractions such as the magical Mirror Maze and a soft play area and crazy golf.
For those who enjoy the great outdoors head to The Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre and learn an old craft such as basket weaving! While history buffs will love learning about these historical crafts art lovers will also enjoy picking up a new skill. The centre also has a fantastic café and gift shop.

Airport Information

Taunton is served by Bristol and Exeter airports. Bristol Airport is about 36 miles from Taunton town centre, which is roughly an hour‚Äôs drive along the M5 and A38. The airport has a number of flights serving destinations throughout Europe.Exeter Airport is slightly closer, about 31 miles away from Taunton and is accessible via the M5 motorway. The airport is smaller than Bristol but has flights to a number of destinations in Europe.